Cities: The Corruption Index

How much is a police directorship worth? In
Newark, about $15,000. That figure was in Mayor Kenneth Gibson's
Dow-Jones of bribes he has been offered during the first 21 months of
his administration. In all, Gibson said last week, $31,000 could have
been his for making certain appointments. The offers came in anonymous
notes and calls and included propositions of 10% kickbacks on city
construction programs.

It was such graft that led to the conviction of his predecessor, Hugh
Addonizio, on 64 charges of extortion and conspiracy. The offers to
Gibson are being investigated for possible prosecution of the...